Somewhere in London’s The O2 there’s going to a Greek island paradise where the new immersive theatrical and dining experience Mamma Mia! The Party – with a story version by Sandi Toksvig – will open on 19 September 2019, following previews from 29 August.

Executive producer, Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus, said: “Sandi Toksvig has to be the funniest and brightest individual I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!”

In return, Toksvig said of her involvement:

“This has been a dream job – writing this adaptation mainly because I want to go to it myself and I got to hang out with the legend that is Björn.”

Mamma Mia! The Party has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh (who also directs) and Björn Ulvaeus, adapted for the UK by writer, comedian and broadcaster Toksvig.

The show is set in a taverna on the island of Skopelos, where most exteriors of the first Mamma Mia! film were shot. Nikos and his wife Kate run this exotic and wonderful restaurant together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and ABBA songs, the evening and takes place around the guests as they sit at their tables enjoying a delicious Greek meal. The evening ends with the main floor transforming into a 1970s disco, where audience members are welcome to stay and sing and dance to ABBA.

Led by Steve Tompkins of architects Haworth Tompkins, work has begun on transforming one of the venues within The O2, where guests will feel as if they’re right in the heart of a Greek island paradise, sitting around tables in the taverna’s courtyard complete with a fountain, olive trees and bougainvillea.